The 'Ridges' Girls

Emily, Marla, Camille, Aspen and me at Women's Conference.

Sea and birds and fish....and 20 thousand tons of crude oil...and a fire.

My preceptor gave this to me. Enjoy.

Steady As She Goes...

I got the awesome opportunity of watching surgeries all day today! It was quite an experience.

I watched a rotator cuff repair, gall bladder removal and achilles tendon repair.
I felt all official wearing the sacred green scrubs only surgeons are allowed to where.
I thought it would be all quiet and sterile during the surgery like Grey's Anatomy. Boy was I wrong! The ortho surgeon was jammin' out to music from his iPod while the assistants were dancing. Ironically, this song was playing in the background as the doctor was grinding away at the cartilage.

Above is a look through the arthroscope as they work on the patient. The "strings" are the sutures. The shiny metal object at the bottom is one of the instruments.

The rotator cuff repair made me realize why people are so sore when they wake up. :) It kind of grossed me out a little bit to see them poking the instruments into the skin so roughly. (Don't be alarmed... I did not faint. I've been desensitized ever since anatomy class.) They do the whole surgery laparoscopically so I was able to watch it from the monitor. Fun Fact: There is only a 50:50 chance that it will heal and won't blow out again!

During the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, they pulled out two gall stones as hard as rocks and the size of large grapes! Cauterizing the gall bladder out did not smell good.

Above you can see the brownish cauterized areas. This is done to both stop the bleeding and burn away the connective tissue that is holding the gall bladder to the rest of the liver.
Fun Fact: They pull the gall bladder out through the belly button!

I couldn't see much of the achilles tendon repair because no scopes were needed. I was surprised to see how little the leg bled when they sliced into it. I really thought there should be more blood.

Sorry, this cannot be done laparoscopically so the pictures is a little graphic. Queezy people... avert your eyes now.

Anyway, cool experience if you ever get the chance!

Ninja Cat

This one is dedicated to my ninja of a brother-in-law, Marty. Enjoy.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL!!!

Tasty Vortex

My sister-in-law dedicated this clip to me. "Why?" you ask. So, I like bacon and I may have eaten just a whole plate of bacon for breakfast while I was in California on a band trip. To my defense it was the best bacon I have ever had and the day before (just to be safe) I tried out only a handful of bacon to make sure I didn't get sick from it. Bacon.


via videosift.com

WTH?!

I don't really have much to say...only a warning to all to never accidentally lock their boxer in a room all day. Enjoy. :)

I promise it didn't start out this way....

He must have really had to pee...

I lied... I have one more thing to say. I had no idea an animal could do this... my first reaction was that someone was in my house looking for something. Stuff was ripped out of my bags and things were across the room from where they started. Sheesh!!

Fieldtrip to the Libary

I stopped by the library yesterday to get a new library card. It has been about 5 years since I have last been there. Lately I have had a lot of time to listen to books on CD as a handful of my rotations are down in Utah Valley and I am loving it. I have gotten a lot of books read (listened to) recently, which I normally wouldn't get to do because of my schedule. It is such a valuable way to spend my time driving and I recommened everyone try it. I look forward to driving now because I get to read while I drive! **(Do not try this at home kids)**
Just thought I would share this idea... :)

Sushi Smushi.....Literally.

So, my preceptor took me with him to a drug rep lunch at Happy Sumo.

First off, I had no idea there were that many types of sushi.
Second, I don't care for sushi... and here is why...

I mean, the sushi was alright but I just won't ever buy it for myself. The "best" kind was a tempura tuna thingy with some sort of orange sauce on it... I know... you must be thinking I have an amazing palate. To be honest, I am happy with mac-n-cheese with hot dogs cut up in it. Anyway, I felt so stupid because both he and the drug rep were teaching me how to mix up the wasabe/soy stuff and eat sushi.
Disclaimer: I have a small mouth (contrary to popular belief). This is extremely incompatible with eating sushi. The second bite of sushi almost gagged me. I literally was thinking to myself... "What do I do if I puke all over the table? Will I fail my rotation?"
I have excellent gag reflexes- if anything touches the back of my throat... it is out of there in less than 2 seconds. My eyes started watering as I did everything in my power to just chew up this large piece of slimy raw fishy stuff that was completely filling my mouth. When I say completely fill my mouth... I mean COMPLETELY! I honestly don't know how I got out of that situation without embarassing myself. Anyway, enough of that. I just thought you all would care. :)

I also tried some fish eggs... disgusting! :) (They really do pop in your mouth... blagh...)

... And don't worry...I am definitely not turning japanese!

Priorities People!

Hurricane Survival Kit

Toilet Paper.......................................................check

Bud Light...........................................................check

Keystone Ice......................................................check

Budweiser........................................................check

Red Dog............................................................check

Misc. other bottles of alcohol...............................check

Piece of plywood to float your old lady and booze on....check

Confessions of a Diet Stricken Woman

Diet Journal Entries

September 2008: Initiation of diet

Day 1: FAILED
Fritos and Full Throttle is not part of a balanced breakfast. Thanks Brandon.

Day 2: SUCCESS
Dehydration from Full Throttle lead to nausea and large consumption of water.

Day 3: SUCCESS
Still too nauseous to eat a lot.

Day 4: FAILED
Leftover candy from trip looked better than a cardboard boca burger

Day 5: FAILED
Snack Attack

Day 6 (today): FAILED
Caramel Ice Cream Drumstick and Beef Jerky for breakfast

It's a futile cause. Rationalization will be the death of me. It all seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe the Full Throttle idea was a good one....hmmmm.

"....um....Z...."

Wheel of Fortune is not for me:

Fictional Character:
__N__LE
S__M


My guess: Ankle Sam ---> FAIL

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Yippee Skippee!!

Lookey....Lookey....Lookey.... to the right at the Graduation countdown. ---------->
I've broke 200 days!! Wahoo!
I can't believe it!

Confessions of a Diet-Stricken Woman

Diet Journal Entries

September 2008: Initiation of diet

Day 1: FAILED
Fritos and Full Throttle is not part of a balanced breakfast. Thanks Brandon.

Day 2: SUCCESS
Dehydration from Full Throttle lead to nausea and large consumption of water.

Day 3: SUCCESS
Still too nauseous to eat.

Day 4: FAILED
Leftover candy from trip looked better than a cardboard boca burger.

Day 5: FAILED
Snack Attack.

Day 6 (today): FAILED
Caramel Ice Cream Drumstick and Beef Jerky for breakfast.

It's a futile cause for me. Rationalization will be the death of me. It all seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe the Full Throttle idea was a good one....hmmmm.

**Note: I write this post as I am eating my ice cream cone**

Pleasanton, California Highland Games

The Pleasanton Highland Games was a blast! Below are pictures from the spoil. We played drums by day and poker by night. You can't beat band trips! Enjoy.

WDPB Concert

Here are just a few "behind the scenes" pictures from the concert. We all had a lot of fun. Thanks to those of you who came out!... and to those that didn't....may the pox be upon you and your family. Enjoy.